Curtis Stanley Mettam

Curtis Stanley Mettam, 91, of Danville, passed away on June 14, 2025.

Born on March 30, 1934, in Chicago to Henry Clay and Martha Elise (DeMinck) Mettam, Curt married Nancy Elizabeth Widdis on May 30, 1954 at St. Paul’s Church; Nancy preceded him in death on Sept. 3, 2009.

He was also preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Kenneth Henry Mettam.

Curt is survived by four daughters, Janet Siegfried (Kurt) of Golden Colorado, Gracie Ayers (Rocky) of Bloomington Illinois, Nancy Mettam (Jim Block) of Jackson Wyoming, and Julia Pickard (Craig) of Brentwood Tennessee; eight grandchildren, Dr. Stephanie Gaydos (JJ), Margot Shinn (Mike Spessard), Curt Pickard (Tiffany), Mary Faye Velazquez (Edwin), Derek Pickard (Roxy), Dr. Carolyn Curry (Erik), Josh Ayers, and Sophia Ayers; and six great-grandchildren.

He was a member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Danville, his childhood church.

Curt moved to Danville Illinois while in the 3rd grade. He attended Schlarman High School and excelled at football earning a football scholarship to Indiana University, where he played left tackle as an IU Hoosier until graduating 4 years later, double majoring in accounting and business management. While in college, in addition to a full load and the demands on the football field, he joined ROTC. Upon graduation Curt enlisted in the army and was stationed in El Paso, TX, retiring as an army major within the 98th battalion.

During college, Curt married Nancy Elizabeth Widdis, and the two started their family and life together in Bloomington Indiana. Over the next eight years, Curt and Nancy made their home in El Paso Texas, St. Joseph Missouri, Edgerton Wisconsin, and Columbus Ohio. Curt was blessed with a well-organized and loving wife who coordinated all these moves while caring for a growing family. Then in 1962, Curt landed back in Danville where he settled for good. Over those early career years, he was a salesman, always on the road and traveling through all 48 states. In 1972, Curt branched out and started Mettam Safety Supply with Nancy by his side. Both Curt and Nancy worked long hours getting their business off the ground. They made many business friends and had a full life thanks to their dedication and hard work building the business and selling safety supplies throughout the Midwest.

Curt was on the Danville Housing Board for several years.

Despite living in a house of girls, Curt’s life passion was outdoor sports, primarily pheasant and duck hunting with a bit of fishing thrown in for good measure. Many hours were spent hunting through beautiful countryside with bird dogs and his hunting companions. Curt’s most successful hunting dog, Hershel, was crowned Derby Dog in 1972 due to his talents in field trials.

Curt enjoyed life with a true love for people, Indiana Hoosiers, sports and travel. His favorite trips were hunting trips to South Dakota and Wales, a South African safari, a Galapagos Island exploration, and cruises down the Amazon River and through the Panama Canal. Curt jokingly would tell his wife “Stay with me and I’ll show you the world!” That he did! Rarely forgetting a face and the impact friendships had in his life, Curt was blessed with the best of friends. He loved a good joke and enjoyed making most all those around him happy.

The family thanks his care providers for their help and companionship which greatly enriched his life including the Hawthorne Inn community.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, June 20, 2025 at 11:00 AM at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, 1303 N Walnut Street, Danville, Illinois 61832. Father Cyr will officiate. A private family burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park in Danville, IL. Visitation will be held from 10:00 – 11:00 on Friday, June 20, 2025 at the church.

Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Danville, Illinois, 3940 N Vermilion St. Danville, IL 61834 is assisting the family with arrangements.

Memorials may be made in Curt’s memory to St. Paul’s Catholic Church in lieu of flowers.

Please join Curtis’ family in sharing memories, photos and videos on his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com .